The Meaning of Martyrs

Brett Easton Ellis's 1991 novel is supremely controversial. But are its ridiculously excessive scenes of violence actually horrific? Is Marry Harron's 2000 adaptation more comedy than horror? Jason and Ali entre the mind of Patrick Bateman.

Stephen King's first novel Carrie (1974) and its two greatest adaptations, Brian De Palma's (1976) and Kimberley Peirce's (2013), have given us one of the most memorable characters of contemporary horror. A bullied highschooler with terrifying supernatural powers. Jason and Ali go to the principal's office.

Ich seh, Ich seh (Goodnight Mommy, 2014) is a magnificently unnerving Austrian domestic horror film about the violent confrontations between a mother and her twin sons. Or is it? Directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, this modern classic was more recently remade in English. Was this remake really necessary? Jason and Ali discuss and disagree.

Fruit Chan's 2004 Hong Kong shocker Dumplings ( 餃子) is gross and engrossing in equal measure. It is also one of the most striking works of gastronomic horror. Jason and Ali discuss food, fetuses and China's one-child policy.

The 2003 French film High Tension/Haute tension, directed by Alexandre Aja, has one of the most contentious plot twists in horror. Is it believable? Does repressed desire necessarily lead to murderous madness? Jason and Ali get tense.

Martyrs (2008) is one of the most controversial movies of all time. Transcendent masterpiece or unwatchable torture porn? Have you been able to sit through Pascal Laugier's film? Jason and Ali give their verdict.

Dario Argento's 1977 movie is widely seen as one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Jason and Ali are beguiled and confused by this nightmarish tale of an American in a German dance school. Join them for a conversation about the Italian cult classic, its 2018 remake, and its mysterious literary source, the musings of an English opium-eater.

The superb Thai film Shutter (2002) by Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom is about haunted photos. Have you ever seen something inexplicable in a picture you've taken? Is photography inherently demonic? Join Jason and Ali in the darkroom.

The Pang brothers' cult Hong Kong horror film The Eye (2002) is inspired by a tragic real-life event. It's also an imaginative story that brings together organ transplantation, clairvoyance, and folks who see dead people. Jason and Ali can't keep their eyes off this creepy classic.